Adani has asked the Federal Court to throw out a legal challenge to its Queensland coal mine unless five traditional owners with little money can stump up more than $160,000.

The mining company applied for a court order to secure potential legal costs if it wins against Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) representatives, who are seeking to overturn a crucial mine site land deal

……Lawyer Col Hardie for the W&J challengers told an earlier Federal Court hearing that legal bills were paid by the W&J traditional owners corporation through fundraising appeals to the public…….

In August, Federal Court judge John Reeves upheld Adani’s Indigenous land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the W&J, saying none of the grounds for challenging it had “any merit”.

Five W&J representatives who unsuccessfully argued it was a “sham” agreement — Delia Kemppi, Lester Barnard, Linda Bobongie, Adrian Burragubba and Lyndell Turbane — are appealing that ruling before the full bench of the Federal Court.

The court will hear Adani’s bid to make its opponents pay security on 18 December.

Last month, Adani announced it would “self-finance” the controversial project and was ready to begin building and operating a scaled-down mine.

But the company needs the ILUA to have the Carmichael mine site title converted to freehold and to carry out major works…….

Queensland Mines Minister Anthony Lynham said in September that Adani “needs to prove they can reach financial close [certainty] before we finalise processes for this project”.

He also said the Government recognised the rights of traditional owners to legally contest the ILUA.